The Sexist, Servile Nostalgia of Pan Am and The Playboy Club

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Proud2beareceptionist: I used to have a "pink collar" job. Hated it. Hated every single minute of it. The lousy pay - the lousy same boring day in an out...ugh (This is only my opinion of the office type job - not my opinion of the people who do work those jobs). So, I ventured out and got a "blue collar" job. And now I have a steady, secure career. I have chosen to live my life alone - well, for the most part anyway. I love not having to depend on someone else for my happiness - some of us are just built this way. I have never been happier or more satisfied in my entire life. But, here's the deal. I respect what you do for a living and the lifestyle that you live. I know that what you do is extremely important and if no one did it - well, we'd be in a bit of trouble. But, in return I'd like the same respect from you - rather than being called a what was that "a dried up bitch". ...and please remember that what I do for a living is just as important and necessary as what you do for a living. Thanks so much for the support.

BwordwithaCareer of CA 6:43PM January 15, 2012

The earlier comments were dead on. Mad Men is an excellent show - I love Joan Harris, she's smart and efficient and is the kind of woman that can get behind a man and help him get far - if she CHOOSES to do so. The writer obviously has a problem with nature. Well enjoy your feminine freedom, Miss Frigidaire.

Jay of CA 10:27PM October 17, 2011

One more thing: I wonder when you see a MALE flight attendant, do you still see the job as sexist and servile or is only 'servile' when the women are doing it? Seems to me women need to be more supportive of other women regardless of what career they choose, if any outside the home career at all. That is one of the reason feminism has failed. They never cared about the real working woman vs executives, and they alienated SAHMs by telling them they were sitting home doing nothing and that what they were doing wasn't 'meaningful.' Who needs to be insulted like that?

Proud2BAReceptionist of OR 1:08AM September 29, 2011

You know, I am so sick of people like the writer who look their noses down on women who work in traditional female occupations or choose to be stay at home wives and mothers. Why don't you mind your own business and let us live our lives? Wasn't feminism about women being allowed to make their OWN choices? So what's with the mean girl bullying that some media types like to engage in! Women who work in traditionally female jobs are the backbone of America. We work in many ways to make other peoples lives easier but yet you think it's ok to put down and revile us or see us as dumb bunnies with no ambition and no lives. That's such a narcissistic view point. Executive women, get over yourselves already! Not ever woman is interested in being a lawyer, doctor, engineer et al, and they shouldn't be made to feel guilty for it!!! Enough of the elitism already. No one put a gun to our heads and insisted we become waitresses, teachers, receptionists, flight attendants or playboy bunnies...or the overpaid actresses who play them or the very overpaid, overrated writers who criticize us! You'd be surprised at how many women working in so-called "pink collar" jobs do it by choice because we enjoy the work and we enjoy the people we meet! Some of us choose these so-called "servile" and "sexist" jobs because we want time to have REAL lives and to be with our families and friends, unlike some of the dried up bitches who put their 'careers' first or as their only solo thing in their lives...you know the ones who have no man, no family and no friends and wind up dying alone and not found for weeks on end! FACT: A job can't kiss you goodnight or hug you back or give you true fulfilment in the long. Some of you will learn that, and hopefully sooner than later.

Proud2BAReceptionist of OR 1:01AM September 29, 2011

Typical feminist libtard rants. Pan Am is a great show

rob of NY 3:23AM September 28, 2011

The sexism on television this season is unbelievable.
Ladies, turn off your televisions and go conquer the world!

susan of CO 6:00PM September 26, 2011

Thank you thank you thank you.
Just because PanAm is dressing its female leads in retro-pretty things (while shockingly portraying sexism as something cute...?) it will never be Mad Men.
Mad Men documents and reveals. It's taken seriously, the sexism is blatantly backward and destructive within the storyline and character development. Nothing "cute" about the restrictions on women in this show.
I'm actually afraid the writers of PanAm may have completely mistaken MadMen if they are trying to grab at its audience. Leading ladies are in tailored perfection in both shows. The backbone, the writing, the depth are the elements that create an amazing chasm between these shows (PanAm is lacking to the point of insult).

Julia D. of MA 11:48AM September 26, 2011

I meant to say, 'college' not 'collage' in my comment... sorry.

Becky of PA 5:13AM September 25, 2011

I meant to say, 'college' not 'collage' in my comment... sorry.

Becky of PA 5:11AM September 25, 2011

I agree with this article entirely. I served my country in the U.S. Navy for four years in the late '80s-early '90s. I didn't do it to make a point. I needed a way to pay for collage and I really wanted to travel. I guess I was naive at the time and I didn't expect to endure so much sexual harassment and discrimination. I did endure much of both and I must admit that it made me a little bitter for a while. However, in the back of mind I kept thinking, 'at least my efforts to do my job well will play a part in making life better for women in the future.' So, these shows do turn my stomach. Should they make a show about slavery while they are at it complete with plantation owners raping and beating slaves? I doubt some people would very nostalgic about that. Where will it end? I don't know what these stupid comments about cigars are about. The things we watch on T.V. seep into our subconscious. I don't think the messages sent by these shows are healthy for anyone...men or women.

Becky of PA 5:03AM September 25, 2011